Ollie talks about transfer Rodney Purvis

UConn announced today that former North Carolina State guard Rodney Purvis has completed his transfer to UConn by signing a financial aid agreement.

Purvis, a 6-foot-3 combination guard, averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 25.5 minutes while appearing in all 35 games, starting 23, for the Wolfpack during his freshman season.

He’ll sit out a season and be eligible to play for the Huskies in 2014-15.

Coach Kevin Ollie is excited about Purvis joining the program.

“Rodney is a solid, strong guard who can score in a lot of ways,” Ollie said in a released statement. “He gets to the hole and he was a good three-point shooter last year. In pick-and-roll situations, we can use him a lot.

“He loves the up-tempo game. Plus, we can use his versatility. He can play the one, he can play the two, he’s even big enough to play the three, like we used Omar (Calhoun) this year.”

Purvis, a former McDonald’s All-American, attended Upper Room Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C. He had UConn as a finalist during his recruiting search.

Ollie believes Purvis will make an impact on the program while he sits out and practices with the team.

“He brings us leadership, even next year,” Ollie said. “No, he won’t be playing, but he gives us a high-caliber basketball player that we can practice against every day. And he’s going to improve just by going against our guards, going through our workouts, and developing. Then, when he plays the following year, he’s going to be hungry, he’ll be chomping at the bit to play.

“Rodney will come right in and add stability to the backcourt and that’s something we’ll welcome. And he won’t be a freshman. He’ll be a junior maturity-wise.”